Unfortunately, I've had yet another encounter with a vendor I learned of on this site. What is it with these businesses that cater to Ralliart owners? Some act like we owe them something for developing products that allow them to make their mortgage payments. Others sell absolute crap and have BS return policies.

I ordered a part over a month ago, and have yet to receive it. Not only have I not received it, I've also never gotten an explanation as to why I have not received it. No e-mail, no phone call, no smoke signal, nothing. This a several hundred dollar item.

Another part I ordered came almost a month after I ordered it, and it was actually broken into several pieces. I contacted the vendor to tell them I wanted a refund, because A)the product was crap, even IF it hadn't broken during shipping, and B) I had waited long enough. I get an e-mail from them today telling me I have to ship them the broken piece of crap back (probably to Taiwan... can't wait to see what the shipping cost is on that!) AND there will be a "restocking" fee of 20%. Now, I work in an industry that deals with shipping all the time. A restocking fee is basically a way to discourage customers from returning products. RESTOCKING consists of opening the package and putting it back on the shelf. Time taken = 20 seconds. This particular item is BROKEN. Where exactly will it be "restocked" too?

Is it really that hard to hire people who know how to treat customers? Or, is it that expensive to get them training in the basics? Do you want to rip as much money out of the RA community as you can while the gettin' is good, so you don't give a **** about what we think of you if the trend fades? What exactly is going on with some of these vendors?

"You'll have more success dealing directly with the vendor and not posting in the forum." In the case of my broken piece of junk, not. If these vendors don't have to fear the consequences of their actions they will not change for the better. I know that forums make money by selling ad space to vendors, so they are important. But guess what, WE are important too. And if WE decide to, we can leave, and you can another way to try and make your mortgage payment.

Notice, I have left the names of the vendors out. Next time I won't. If you mods want to ban me for bringing this the attention of the RA owners, go for it. We shall know thee by thy fruit.

 

Hey listen dude, we havne't sold much to the regular lancer's, but shoot us a PM and i'll see what we can do for you...

Regards
Steve
GnV Motorsports

 

I haven't dealt with Steve yet but plan to in the future. I have had many bad experiences like yours. I'm still waiting for parts I ordered from certain vendors months ago. Give GNV a try; they offer great pricing and seem to have good service.

 

GNV, I will, thanks.

And BTW, it's not just vendor-to-cusotmer relations I'm talking about either. I live near several large import shops, and I'm friends with some of the people who work at these shops. I've talked to them about the availability of aftermarket parts for the RA, and they've told me of their experiences trying to get parts for the RA. Want to know why you're local shop doesn't carry parts for your RA? Ask them next time you are in there. The answer is NOT because "nobody makes them".

 

ErikT, you will not get banned for speaking your mind, that would be flat out stupid of the mods/admins.

 

Exactly what vendors? This way we can steer clear.

 

wow SPEEAK YOU MIND!!!! this is a "free country"

 

Most dealership parts guys are like that, they are working dead end jobs making at most 12 an hour and have been there for 15 years. They dont give two ****s, just as long as they get a paycheck. If you need to order a part, just order it off www.mitsubishiparts.net They are at least 25% cheaper, you wait at most 5 days for stuff. Why do you think forums always call dealerships "satan"

 

iv only had trouble with american companys not saying that their all bad but theres so many there your going to have a few crapy ones that can't produce or back up their customerservice like this place http://hyundaiperformance.com/forums/topic.php?t=63980

 

Hey Erik, I hope none of your problems with RRM, If you do please call and try to resolve them with us. We stand by our reputation and will try our best to help you out. But I guess I can bet that I know one of the vendors personally well. Don't worry, they will screw you over like the did me, and many others on this forum. Sorry, hope you get your issues resolved.

-Jay@RRM

 

A year and a half is TOTALLY ridiculous. My experiences haven't been THAT bad, but taken in the context of normal customer service they suck.

As I said earlier, I work in a store that processes about 300 orders per week. Some are transfers to other stores, some are UPS, some are delivered by an in-store driver. The ordering process is this:

1. Customer calls to place order
2. We look up the products to see if we have them (we have a HUGE inventory)
3. If we do, order is processed and goes out within 24 hours
4. If we don't, customer is told and an approximate date of delivery is given

It's really simple. Under no circumstances would I take money for a product and NOT tell the customer it is back ordered or out of stock. It's just not done. It seems to be the rule rather than the exception, with some of these vendors.

 

It doesn't mean he couldn't be banned without a cause.. it's not a free speech forum now is it.
Hope everything gets worked out for you.

 

You're right, Fl. It wouldn't be the first forum where I bumped heads with the powers-that-be, and qucikly learned the reason for the forum's existence.

What I've learned: Popular forums are basically places where sales relationships can be built. They often start as a place to exchange ideas, etc, but quickly turn commercial if advertisers are willing to pay to sell directly to interested parties. Think of a cold call vs. having an audience where people WANT your product, and all you have to do is give it to them.

I don't really know what the case is here. It might be a mixture of both.

I'm not saying it's a BAD thing... just want to remind fellow RA enthusiasts of that fact.

The reason for this thread was that I've been busing my butt at work to get customers their orders, which is only about 15% of our business, and I am getting nothing from the people I pay to deliver their products to me. The e-mail today was the final straw. A business that cares about its customers does not make them wait without explanation for weeks beyond the expected delivery date; deliver a POS product; deliver a BROKEN product; and then demand restock fees etc. They didn't even want to talk about a refund unless I provided pictures of the damaged mechandise, which I did. I would have accepted an exchange, but the product really is not even fit to be carried in AutoZone.

F' em. I don't owe them anything.

 

ErikT, from one employee to another employee, one car ethusiast to another car ethusiast. If you really want to do something about your products, Its best to list the companies that have caused you pain and put a hole in your pocket. Its one thing if its unreasonable, its another if its a misunderstanding. We wont take it to heart, because we know when we do mess up and we try to fix our problems best we can.

-Jay@RRM

 

To be honest the powers to be I don't think would mind that you post the companies that gave you problems... in fact i think they would encourage it as this place is not for so much business relationships but more for car enthusiasts that discuss quality products. I doubt you'll be banned... I remember Kar33m went on a 4-6 month Hiatus against Accolade and it's actually helped people... I've never dealt with Accolade but i know quite a few people have and some are pleased ... more aren't. I think it'd be best to post and let everyone know that Customer Service/ Quality is not of the companies.